Frequency and correlates of unintended pregnancy risk perceptions

Abstract

Objectives: This study is to assess frequency and correlates of women's reports of unintended pregnancy risk in the general population in France.

Study design: Data are drawn from the FECOND survey, a national probability survey on sexual and reproductive health conducted in France in 2010. We identified 2969 women ages 15-49years who had heterosexual intercourse in the 4weeks prior to the survey and who were at potential risk of unintended pregnancy. We evaluate women's reports of unintended pregnancy risk in the last 4weeks and identify correlates of such reports using logistic regression modeling.

Results: Fifteen percent of women thought that they could have become pregnant in the last 4weeks without wanting to do so. Reports of unintended pregnancy risk were higher among women in very difficult financial situations (OR=1.87 [1.32-2.65]) and foreign-born women (OR=1.53 [1.03-2.29]). Exposure in the form of contraceptive practices and errors in use of contraception were the strongest correlates of women's reports of unintended pregnancy risk, yet among the 9.8% of women who reported inconsistent use of contraception or unprotected intercourse in the last 4weeks, 63% did not think they could have become pregnant unintentionally.

Conclusions: Significant discrepancies between pregnancy exposure and women's report of unintended pregnancy risk call for better SRH educational programs to improve pregnancy awareness in the general population. On the other hand, targeted interventions toward women who report being at risk of unintended pregnancy may contribute toward reducing unintended pregnancies given the frequency of such events.

Keywords: Europe; Family planning; Pregnancy intention; Risk perception.